Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Guide

The Knights of the Round Table is one of the brand's artistic watches, and it was built to be looked at as much as read. Twelve knights are cast in gold, hand-carved and set around the dial in place of conventional hour markers. The watch belongs to a different category from a standard Excalibur, and its care reflects that. The figures and enamel need more attention than a plain dial, and a buyer should judge the sculpture as carefully as the movement.

A dial made of miniature sculpture

The original 2013 Knights of the Round Table presents twelve individually detailed gold knights, with their swords standing in for hour markers around an enamel table at the center. The brand describes gold casting followed by hand-carving, and each figure is about 7 millimeters tall. The inspiration is the Round Table tradition of Arthurian legend, and the dial is organized around the table rather than the time.

The watch entered the Artistic Crafts category at the 2013 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. It was a competition entry, and owners should treat the artistic claim as the reason for the watch's design rather than a guarantee of value. What matters on the bench is the quality of the figures and enamel, which are the parts most likely to need specialist attention.

The movement and what to confirm

Knights of the Round Table is built around one of the brand's in-house automatic movements, which means its servicing is handled through the brand's network or by a specialist who can source the right parts. The exact caliber should be confirmed against the caseback and the papers for your particular watch, rather than assumed from a collection description or a photograph.

A movement service on this watch follows the usual steps: cleaning, lubrication, replacement of worn parts, adjustment and a final check. The difference lies in the dial, which has to be protected at every stage, and in the seals, which have to close the case after the dial work is finished.

Ask the shop how the dial is lifted and whether the figures stay attached throughout. Those are the moments when a figurative dial is most at risk, and a watchmaker who has planned them will be able to describe each step.

Servicing the figures and enamel

Any movement service means the dial and hands come off at some point, and with a figurative dial that step carries real risk. Ask the shop how it protects the knights and the enamel during the work, whether it uses a dial holder or a protective method, and whether it will photograph the dial before and after. A shop that can't describe its method should not take this watch.

Repairs to figures or enamel are specialist work. Ask whether the brand's network can handle the job, what it would cost in broad terms, and how long it would take. The brand publishes a general turnaround of about six to eight weeks for recent collections and longer for restoration, so plan for the slower timeline if the dial needs work.

Buying a pre-owned Knights of the Round Table

Start with the papers and the serial number, and check that the reference matches the watch. Original papers matter more on an artistic piece than on a standard dress watch, because the value depends on the figures being original and complete. A missing or replaced knight is a serious issue, and a seller should explain it in writing.

Look at the figures under good light for chips, uneven gold and signs of repair, and check the enamel for cracks or retouching. Ask for every service invoice and confirm whether any dial work was done by the brand or by an authorized center. Work outside the network can void the service guarantee and makes the watch harder to value.

Compare the figures and the hands with the watch's own documentation rather than a photograph. Figures can look similar from a distance, and only a close look at the finish and the detail of each piece shows whether they match what the brand describes.

Owning a watch that is meant to be looked at

A watch with twelve gold figures on its dial will attract attention, so keep it somewhere safe and wear it with care. Avoid knocks on the crystal and the bezel, since a blow can chip the figures or crack the enamel. A soft cloth is enough for regular cleaning, and any deeper cleaning should go to a specialist who understands the dial.

Keep the box, the papers and any documentation about dial repairs together. They help a future buyer or watchmaker understand what the watch has been through, and they support the value of a piece that is meant to be treasured rather than used hard.

What to check on a Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table

Experience protecting figurative dials, gold figures and enamel during a movement service
Written confirmation of the caliber for your particular watch
Pre-purchase checks on the figures, the enamel and the original papers

Common questions

When did the Knights of the Round Table come out?

The original watch was introduced in 2013, with twelve gold knights set around an enamel table in place of hour markers.

Can a dial with knights be serviced by any watchmaker?

Only a shop that can protect the figures and enamel during the work. Ask how the dial will be handled before you agree to any service.

What should I check on a pre-owned Knights watch?

Check the papers, the serial number, the figures for chips or missing pieces, and the enamel for cracks or retouching. Get a written inspection before you pay.